Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Side Story 18

Lennoch’s eyes widened slightly. It was as if the sensation of her hand on his cheek didn’t feel real.

Eleanor’s eyes curved gently. “I thought you might never look at me again unless I did something like this.”

“……”

“You’re afraid, aren’t you?”

Lennoch said nothing.

“You know it’s wrong, and yet you keep clinging to me. Isn’t it yourself you’re afraid of?”

“…That’s right.”

“You say you’ll do anything for me, but the truth is, you’re scared I might leave. That’s why you keep holding on.”

“……”

“You just want to keep me close. You want to be the only one I see.”

This time, his expression darkened further.

She was exactly right.

The more time passed, the more afraid he became of how his feelings were changing.

He was jealous.

He wished she would look at him more.

The way she seemed to value her position as Empress and those around her more than him only made him more desperate.

“I think I understand why you gave me the seal ring.”

“Eli…”

“You say you want me to choose freely, but really, you’re begging me. To look at you one more time. To think of you more.”

Lennoch thought—It’s over.

Eleanor knew him better than he knew himself.

Such dark, filthy thoughts.

Trapped in petty possessiveness, desperate to keep her by his side—she had seen his ugliness.

“I can’t let myself—”

Just as he began to speak—

Eleanor, who had been gently stroking his cheek, suddenly pulled him toward her.

His lips collided directly with hers.

As she kissed him and briefly pulled away, she whispered softly, “If I give you permission to do whatever you want, even knowing all this—”

“……!”

“What will you do?”

His dazed eyes fixed on her face.

“Even the parts of you that you hate—I love them so much I don’t know what to do.”

“……”

“Will you leave me like this?”

Lennoch let out a heavy breath. “I might get worse than I am now.”

“How so?”

“I’ll move your office next to mine. Carrier pigeons aren’t enough anymore. I need to hear your voice, see your breath, watch you smile by my side. I want to wake up with you, eat with you, and spend all day telling everyone who meets you just how madly in love I am. I’ll confirm and reconfirm you, endlessly.”

That was answer enough.

“Let’s do that.”

His hand reflexively wrapped around Eleanor’s waist.

She welcomed the sudden embrace, reaching out to meet him.

Their light kiss deepened instantly. The heated breaths exchanged between lips seemed to say—

I will never let go.

This is what you chose.

In response to those words, Eleanor said nothing—she simply accepted it all.

***

A new Hartmann dynasty had begun.

The Emperor of Baden proclaimed a new empire.

It was the birth of the first united confederation on the continent, built upon the close ties between the two nations.

His Empress, Eleanor, became the first Queen of Hartmann.

Appearing with the once-lost royal seal ring, she reclaimed the royal scepter and staff buried with the former king and boldly asserted her legitimacy.

There was opposition, but support was overwhelming.

Especially among the people of Hartmann—their joy was indescribable.

It felt like a festival, a new celebration.

But amidst the excitement, one person alone raged.

“This is insane! It’s impossible!”

Unable to contain his fury, Adler punched the air. He had long since abandoned his duties.

“They’re just handing Hartmann back? And to her? Eleanor’s a queen now?”

He was beyond shocked—he was livid. Kicking the stable fence in frustration, Adler caused a mess around him.

In the midst of his tantrum, Enriche appeared.

“Your Highness.”

“Enriche!”

Still seething, Adler stormed up to him.

“What happened?! You said everything was going fine! Were you able to give her the infertility drug or not?”

It had taken great effort to obtain that drug.

Entrusting it to Enriche, Adler had been confident he would succeed.

But now, Hartmann had reclaimed its sovereignty, and Eleanor had become Queen. No drug could steer things back to his plan.

Adler was ready to grab him by the collar, but Enriche only laughed.

“Yes, I gave it.”

“What?”

“I mixed it in wine. That person drank it all quite happily.”

“Wine? You drank wine with the Empress?”

“Not Her Majesty—the one who drank it was you, Adler.”

“……?”

Adler froze.

Wine?

He had no memory of drinking wine with Enriche. But if there was a time it could’ve happened—

“Don’t tell me… during that speech.”

When he’d gathered the nobles from Hartmann and made his rousing declaration. He had toasted with wine that Enriche handed him.

“I laced that wine.”

“You—you—you…!”

Finally realizing what had happened, Adler lunged.

“You bastard!”

But in his rage, Adler was no match for Enriche.

Easily dodging him, Enriche kicked his leg. Adler collapsed to the filthy ground, covered in filth.

“Ugh…!”

“That drug you had—it wasn’t for infertility.”

“……?”

“It destroys sexual function permanently.”

“……!”

Adler’s face turned pale.

“You’ll never have a normal sex life again. And there’s no antidote. The effects are far too strong.”

“This can’t be… I… I…”

“You’ll never have children. What a shame.”

It was too much to believe.

Slowly, Adler looked down at his lower body.

Ever since Eleanor had lured him to Baden, he hadn’t used it.

And now—this?…

“I’m impotent…?”

Just like that, so absurdly.

“I’m impo…! Impossib—aargh!”

Adler screamed and shot to his feet. There was no way he could forgive Enriche, who was grinning smugly.

Snatching up a wooden club from nearby, Adler charged at him. “You bastard…!”

“Your Highness the Prince has grown quite foul-mouthed, I see. Working in the stables seems to have tainted even your speech.”

Even as Adler came charging at him like a madman, Enriche remained composed.

Adler raised the club high, aiming to smash it down on Enriche’s head. But again, he failed to achieve his aim.

“……!”

Adler stared at the hand that had caught his wrist.

A face he didn’t recognize had appeared beside him.

Only then did Adler realize he was surrounded by knights.

Enriche called out in a low voice to the restrained Adler. “This is His Majesty the Emperor’s order.”

Attempting to harm the Empress was akin to treason.

“However, in consideration of you being Her Majesty’s only blood relative, you are not to be executed but exiled from the empire.”

“……!”

“Henceforth, you shall not set foot on Baden soil again, alive or dead.”

This applied equally to Hartmann, now united in federation.

“From now on, Adler, you are barred from entering both Baden and Hartmann.”

“This is nonsense…”

“Take him away.”

“Yes, sir!”

“No, this can’t be happening, it’s not true.”

Adler struggled to break free from the knights.

But they held him firm.

Dragged away by force, Adler screamed one last time like a madman.

“No! No, it’s not true! This can’t be happening! I’m a prince! The last remaining prince of Hartmann!”

But not a soul answered his pitiful cries.

***

“Understood. I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After finishing his final report, Enriche exited the room.

Eleanor quietly looked out the window.

The news she’d heard didn’t suit the sunny weather.

That Adler had been rendered impotent.

“…Pfft.”

She barely stifled a laugh.

It was a revenge she’d never even imagined.

She couldn’t help but wonder how furious Lennoch must have been upon learning of Adler’s plot to drug her with an infertility potion.

It was both bitter and oddly satisfying.

‘He must’ve also done it to keep the federation stable.’

At present, the only legitimate royals of the Hartmann line were herself and Adler.

Though she had become Queen, it remained a fact that Adler was still a direct royal.

If he ever fathered a child, there was no telling what excuse he might use to stake a claim on Hartmann’s throne.

Just as he had schemed, Lennoch had used the same logic, sealing Adler’s future by rendering him incapable.

‘I suppose Enriche will handle what’s left.’

Now, Adler’s fate was in Enriche’s hands.

With the Emperor’s order behind him, Enriche surely wouldn’t show mercy.

Especially with so many nobles bearing a grudge against Adler.

As she’d once heard, his remaining years would be filled with pain.

Knock knock.

“Your Majesty, I’ve brought this back.”

Eger entered and offered up Kaham’s bracelet.

But Eleanor’s gaze was fixed not on the bracelet, but on his face. The once bright and hopeful Eger looked utterly drained.

“Eger, did something…”

“I was rejected.”

“……”

“It’s all right, Your Majesty. I expected it. I’m fine.”

Eleanor couldn’t bring herself to take the bracelet.

As she hesitated, Eger murmured softly, “Really, I’m fine.”

“Eger.”

“Sir Joshua said this: she’s never had feelings for anyone before. It’s not impossible that I might become that person, but she said acting on impulsive curiosity would only be deceiving my feelings.”

Eger couldn’t meet her eyes. His gaze fell to the bracelet in his hand.

“I think I relied too much on a miracle.”

“……”

“Looking back, I had plenty of chances to talk to Sir Joshua.”

Once, while going between the main and East palaces.

Once, while delivering a decree for the knights’ appointments.

Every time the Emperor used ridiculous excuses to visit the Empress—or when the Empress sent messages in return.

“I had opportunities, but I didn’t take them. That was on me.”

Eleanor remained silent.

Lennoch’s words echoed in her ear—If it were me, I wouldn’t have let you go.

Her chest thumped hard.

Her lips remembered a certain past touch.

A quiet flutter stirred in her stomach.

“That’s why I’ll start trying now.”

“Trying?”

“I’ll start by practicing how to catch her eye.”

Though his face was still downcast, Eger’s voice was lighter.

“His Majesty said I should begin with a greeting. That if we keep greeting each other, the awkwardness will fade, and once that’s gone, conversation will come easier.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

“I’ll make sure we at least become friends.”

Eger extended the bracelet once more.

Feeling slightly at ease, Eleanor finally accepted it.

“You have time, right? Sven bakes cookies around this hour. Stay and have some with tea.”

“…Should I?”

“There’s nothing like a sweet treat to lift your mood.”

Smiling faintly, Eleanor called for a servant.

Once the table was set with cookies, Eger’s expression brightened just a bit.

Facing him, Eleanor picked up a chocolate cookie first.

“…Ugh.”

“Your Majesty?”

Eger called out in surprise as she suddenly covered her mouth.

Eleanor forced a smile. “It’s been happening now and then. Don’t worry, it’s nothing—urgh.”

“Your Majesty!”

Despite her words, her face had turned deathly pale.

A wave of nausea hit her.

Alarmed, Eger leapt up to support her and shouted loudly.

“Summon the physician immediately!”

***

“You’re pregnant.”

“……?”

Eleanor, lying in bed, sat up reflexively.

Eger, just as shocked, opened his eyes wide.

He couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

Seeing their disbelief, the physician smiled brightly and confirmed it again. “Congratulations on your pregnancy, Your Majesty the Empress.”